Strong round raises aspirations for Brandt Snedeker at Masters

Brandt Snedeker wants to make some noise today at the Masters Tournament. He’s hoping those ahead of him on the leaderboard will be listening.

If Snedeker plays like he did in the third round Saturday with a 4-under 68 at Augusta National, perhaps he can make a charge from 1 under for the tournament.

“I think 2 or 3 under on the front nine,” Snedeker, 31, said of his goals. “I’m going to give myself a shouting chance on the back nine, go out and be aggressive on the back nine, the two par-5s, maybe post a 6- or 7-under-par tomorrow and try to put some pressure on those guys that will be playing later in the day.”

Snedeker said he putted much better after struggles the first two rounds (72, 75), resulting in birdies at Nos. 2, 3, 13, 15 and 16. A bogey at No. 18 dampened his enthusiasm a bit.

“Today, I had nothing to lose from where I was,” said Snedeker, who was in contention at the 2008 Masters and finished tied for third. “I was so far back, I needed to be aggressive and go after the par-5s. I had some chances at eagle but wasn’t able to make them work out.”